Healthy Weight Center

Healthy Body Weight

08/28/2009

Question:

I`m 13 years old and I`m 5`2. I weigh 115 pounds. I was wondering if that`s a healthy body weight for my age.

Answer:

I can answer you by saying yes, you probably are at a healthy body weight. By looking at a child or adolescent's growth pattern over time (from birth), health professionals can evaluate if someone is growing properly and in a healthy weight range. In order to answer your question more accurately, it would be helpful to know if you are a girl or boy and to know more about you.

Since that information is not available to me, another tool that can be useful is the body mass index (BMI). When I checked yours using the on-line tool at http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/usefultools/l/bl_bmi_calc.htm, it said that your BMI indicates you are at a healthy weight (whether you are a girl or a boy). Your BMI is 21.1 (which is in the 75th percentile for girls and the 80th percentile for boys). So that's good news. The website also tells us to remember that a child (1) is considered to be overweight if he/she has a BMI over the 95th percentile for age or (2) is at risk of becoming overweight if he/she has a BMI between the 85th and 95th percentile for their age.

The aim of maintaining a healthy weight is to be active daily and eat a well-balanced diet, taking in enough calories to support your continuing growth. Remember to try not to fill up on "junk foods" (chips, fried foods, pop, candy); let your calories come from nutritious sources (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean meats, nuts) instead. If you visit the ChooseMyPlate.gov website, you can tailor a diet to meet your needs according to your age, gender, and activity level. Or you can go to the Healthy Weight Center at NetWellness.

Please note: only your personal physician or other health professional you consult can best advise you on matters of your health based on your medical history, your family medical history, your medication history, and how information from any of these databases may apply to you. Neither University of Cincinnati (NetWellness) nor any party involved in creating, producing or delivering this web site shall be liable for any damages arising out of access to or use of this web site, or any errors or omissions in the content thereof. (More)